Who promises what?

First off let me explain why I am writing this. I am not a "Bigot" my motive in writing this is to inform and allow everyone of us to make a decision.

Beliefs of Muslims:
They believe they will be rewarded by deeds.. they do not believe that heaven and hell are actual places...Hell is a place for purifications not for eternity.They live by the teachings of the Koran..written by Muhammad... in their eyes he is a prophet.. I never seen him mentioned in the Holy Bible.. but anywayIslam means submission or submitt to Allah which is Arabic for "the God" Muhammad was born in 570 c.e. in Mecca... I have tried to research him but cannot find any confirmed historical evidence on him. Muslims believe he recieved Gods final revelation to mankind. (I thought John did).So basically if you wish to follow this religion here is all you have to do: 1. Do a ritual of Prayers everyday 2. fast once a year 3. oBEY TEACHINGS OF Muhammad.. and travel to Mecca once a year. If you do this and are under submission you will get some virgins in paradise.Not making fun... this is what they believe.


Buddhism beliefs:
Founded over 2500 tears ago.. dominant in the far east their emphasis is on religious rituals, worship of deities, and meditation.. the meaning of the name is the system taught by the Buddha... to my knowledge their is no promise of Eternal life. They believe you do not have a soul.Purpose of their life is to escape the cycle of rebirth.Basically they worship Gods or Goddessess.

Roman Catholics:
Previously Rome taught that there si no salvation for anyone else.. but they changed their mind and said as long as you follow your religion conscientiously you will be saved. Their intercessor is Mary the mother of Jesus.. that is who passes your prayers on to God the Father.That is all I will discuss about this one.. but I encourage you to study it for yourself.

Jews
Only thing that needs to be said about this is they do not believe that Jesus came to earth already... so...


Jehova's Witness
Founded by Charles Russell.. they do not believe that Jjesus was God in the flesh.. his son... they state that Jesus was not born again until he was baptized.... He was once Michael the Arch Angel.. Jesus made no appearances after his resurrection.They rewrote the Bible in their own way it is called thr New World Bible... I say do not read it.Here is how you obtain salvation by studying the JW Bible in context to their teachings, associate with other JW,and spread their teachings.And they do not believe there is a hell.. so no punishment for sinners that do not accept Jesus Christ.


Christianity beliefs
We are saved by grace.. Gods grace
No rituals to follow.. just obedience to God
We follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and believe he is the Son of God... we believe that he died for our sins and that he was raised from the Dead... made appearances and then went to be with God.. his father.. that is where he is now.. not dead but alive forevermore. Jesus is our intercessor.. he is the Lamb of God.. we believe that you must be born again.. read the story about Nicodemus.... in the Bible. We go by the teachings of the Bible and no other litature. We believe there is a hell put Gods desire is that no one would persih there.

I could go on and on.. but just trying to make a point. We can choose to worship anyone or anything.. that is our right.. but no other religion offers what Jesus has offered us... he loves us and died for our sins. I get accused al the time of not being tolerant of other religions... I am guilty of that because after I read some of their beliefs.. they are just outlandish and crazy... in my opinion being decieved by any other way than the road that Jesus has given us is unconceivable to me.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Beliefs of Muslims:
They believe they will be rewarded by deeds.. they do not believe that heaven and hell are actual places...Hell is a place for purifications not for eternity.They live by the teachings of the Koran..written by Muhammad... in their eyes he is a prophet.. I never seen him mentioned in the Holy Bible.. but anywayIslam means submission or submitt to Allah which is Arabic for "the God" Muhammad was born in 570 c.e. in Mecca... I have tried to research him but cannot find any confirmed historical evidence on him. Muslims believe he recieved Gods final revelation to mankind. (I thought John did).So basically if you wish to follow this religion here is all you have to do: 1. Do a ritual of Prayers everyday 2. fast once a year 3. oBEY TEACHINGS OF Muhammad.. and travel to Mecca once a year. If you do this and are under submission you will get some virgins in paradise.Not making fun... this is what they believe.</div></div>

Please post accurate information.
http://www.islam-guide.com/

Regarding Hell:
God has said in the Quran:

Those who have disbelieved and died in disbelief, the earth full of gold would not be accepted from any of them if one offered it as a ransom. They will have a painful punishment, and they will have no helpers. (Quran, 3:91)

So, this life is our only chance to win Paradise and to escape from Hellfire, because if someone dies in disbelief, he will not have another chance to come back to this world to believe. As God has said in the Quran about what is going to happen for the unbelievers on the Day of Judgment:

If you could but see when they are set before the Fire (Hell) and say, "Would that we might return (to the world)! Then we would not reject the verses of our Lord, but we would be of the believers!"? (Quran, 6:27)

But no one will have this second opportunity.

The Prophet Muhammad said: {The happiest man in the world of those doomed to the Fire (Hell) on the Day of Judgment will be dipped in the Fire once. Then he will be asked, "Son of Adam, did you ever see any good? Did you ever experience any blessing?"? So he will say, "No, by God, O Lord!"?}1

Who is Muhammad?
http://www.islam-guide.com/frm-ch3-8.htm

The "receiving virgins" thing isn't accurate either.
http://www.islam-guide.com/frm-ch2-1.htm

Regarding "Allah"
The Arabic word Allah means God (the one and only true God who created the whole universe). This word Allah is a name for God, which is used by Arabic speakers, both Arab Muslims and Arab Christians. This word cannot be used to designate anything other than the one true God. The Arabic word Allah occurs in the Quran about 2700 times. In Aramaic, a language related closely to Arabic and the language that Jesus habitually spoke,4 God is also referred to as Allah.

http://www.islamicity.com/Mosque/Muhammad_Bible.HTM
Muhammad and the Bible
Definitely read this one.

They believe in hell as a form of purification.. meaning some Muslim believers were not good enough so they need to be perified in hell.. just as silver is purified in the fire.They believe that it is not eternal. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/whistle.gif[/img]

I'm sorry, are you even reading anything I post?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Those who have disbelieved and died in disbelief, the earth full of gold would not be accepted from any of them if one offered it as a ransom. They will have a painful punishment, and they will have no helpers</div></div>

I've come to the conclusion that you already believe what you want and no amount of proof otherwise will change your mind, even if it's hard facts in black and white.

The myths are much more intersting to you than the facts.

I have posted facts. I have posted links to many quality references and you refuse to read them and prefer to stick with the myths. Therefore there is no room to discuss this with you further. Neither of us is going to budge.

At the age of forty, Muhammad received his first revelation from God through the Angel Gabriel. The revelations continued for twenty-three years, and they are collectively known as the Quran.

As soon as he began to recite the Quran and to preach the truth which God had revealed to him, he and his small group of followers suffered persecution from unbelievers. The persecution grew so fierce that in the year 622 God gave them the command to emigrate. This emigration from Makkah to the city of Madinah, some 260 miles to the north, marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar.

After several years, Muhammad and his followers were able to return to Makkah, where they forgave their enemies. Before Muhammad died, at the age of sixty-three, the greater part of the Arabian Peninsula had become Muslim, and within a century of his death, Islam had spread to Spain in the West and as far East as China. Among the reasons for the rapid and peaceful spread of Islam was the truth and clarity of its doctrine. Islam calls for faith in only one God, Who is the only one worthy of worship.

The Prophet Muhammad was a perfect example of an honest, just, merciful, compassionate, truthful, and brave human being. Though he was a man, he was far removed from all evil characteristics and strove solely for the sake of God and His reward in the Hereafter. Moreover, in all his actions and dealings, he was ever mindful and fearful of God.

This is what you read right? I stated that thir was no confirmed History about him..All I have been able to confirm is his fathers name.. when he was born... and he was a and he came up with this religion.I believe it is pretty accurate.. respectfully what makes you think yours is accurate? I have looked at over 10 different sites to attept to find something and the majority never confirmed anything that you read in the other article.


In the Gospel according to John (Chapters 14, 15, 16) Jesus spoke of the "Paraclete" or comforter who will come after him, who will be sent by Father as another Paraclete, who will teach new things which the contemporaries of Jesus could not bear. While the Paraclete is described as the spirit of truth, (whose meaning resemble Muhammad's famous title Al-Amin, the trustworthy), he is identified in one verse as the Holy Ghost (John 14:26). Such a designation is however inconsistent with the profile of that Paraclete. In the words of the Dictionary of the Bible, (Ed. J. Mackenzie) "These items, it must be admitted do not give an entirely coherent picture."

Indeed history tells us that many early Christians understood the Paraclete to be a man and not a spirit. This might explain the followings who responded to some who claimed, without meeting the criteria stipulated by Jesus, to be the awaited "Paraciete".

It was Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who was the Paraclete, Comforter, helper, admonisher sent by God after Jesus. He testified of Jesus, taught new things which could not be borne at Jesus' time, he spoke what he heard (revelation), he dwells with the believers (through his well-preserved teachings). Such teachings will remain forever because he was the last messenger of God, the only Universal Messenger to unite the whole of humanity under God and on the path of PRESERVED truth. He told of many things to come which "came to pass" in the minutest detail meeting, the criterion given by Moses to distinguish between the true prophet and the false prophets (Deuteronomy 18:22). He did reprove the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgement (John 16:8-11)This is some of the article you told me to read.... I respectfully have to say that this is so crazy.. lol These scriptures were talking about the Holy Spirit and not=Muhammad...The spirit is what leads guides and directs us. Ask anyone on here what those scriptures mean and they wil tell you. I am not directing this towards you because you did not write it... BUt now the story of Ishmael Abrahams son... I learned years ago about this in Bible School and it is believed that it is where it got its start... then Issac and Jacob chose a different path. BUT over 95% of that article is incorrect according to Bible and what it teaches.

That just goes to show...scripture can be interpreted in their context to mean more than one thing.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sup-rbeast</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That just goes to show...scripture can be interpreted in their context to mean more than one thing. </div></div>

I agree that scripture can be interupted wrong by people. i was just trying to make a point that the Muslim site had the courage to go to the Bible and make it line up with their Koran... that is just wrong [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/mad.gif[/img]

I dont see it as wrong at all.

OK...so how do you know their interpretation is wrong and yours is right?...And don't say cuz they told me at Sunday school...BTW, muslims use the bible in their services too.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: elp6n</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I dont see it as wrong at all.
</div></div>

Okay that is fine... I respectfully just ask that you study those verses on your own to see what they mean and dont take the web sites word for it or mine. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif[/img]

Heck why should I read your verses when you obviously don't read mine?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: elp6n</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Heck why should I read your verses when you obviously don't read mine? </div></div>

YOu have never said you are a Muslim, have you? I did read them.. I promise.. every single one of them.

But you're still spouting highly incorrect information about Islam. Had you read the Islam guide I posted some number of days ago in another thread you never would have posted those falsehoods.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: elp6n</div><div class="ubbcode-body">But you're still spouting highly incorrect information about Islam. Had you read the Islam guide I posted some number of days ago in another thread you never would have posted those falsehoods.
</div></div>

I explained why I posted it... what is false about it.. let me know.

for starters:
Heaven and hell are places to them, and Hell exists to punish. You said otherwise.
The virgins awaiting them in heaven thing is a myth. You said otherwise.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: elp6n</div><div class="ubbcode-body">for starters:
Heaven and hell are places to them, and Hell exists to punish. You said otherwise.
The virgins awaiting them in heaven thing is a myth. You said otherwise. </div></div>

I will admitt that the Virgins are hear say... but that is all I will admitt [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]

Admitting it is the first step to getting help [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]

How does one know that the site you posted isn't biased?

Well, you can read the Qu'ran to verify the info if you wanted.
The sites I reference aren't "opinionated" sites, I just go for basic facts, no emotion involved. Nothing about "this religion is better and that religion sucks." No comparison.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pac-Man</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: elp6n</div><div class="ubbcode-body">for starters:
Heaven and hell are places to them, and Hell exists to punish. You said otherwise.
The virgins awaiting them in heaven thing is a myth. You said otherwise. </div></div>

I will admitt that the Virgins are hear say... but that is all I will admitt [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]</div></div>

The inevitable "I'll agree to some of what I claimed as truth to be wrong, but not all of it because even though there's evidence to the contrary, it would hurt my argument" response. The ostrich head in the sand syndrome.

Happens way too often on here.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: elp6n</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Admitting it is the first step to getting help [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img]
</div></div>

Oh that was a low blow... but I guess the truth hurts sometimes.. and you told the truth [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/eek.gif[/img]

oh that was just teasing.. trying to lighten the place up a bit!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boney</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How does one know that the site you posted isn't biased? </div></div>

I know this was not posted to me .. but we do not know.... she likes to talk as much as I do so I thought I would answer 1st. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/whistle.gif[/img]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Pac-Man</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: boney</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How does one know that the site you posted isn't biased? </div></div>

I know this was not posted to me .. but we do not know.... she likes to talk as much as I do so I thought I would answer 1st. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/whistle.gif[/img] </div></div>

My point is this: An individual needs to read both the Bible and Quran for his/herself if they want to make it legitimate. We all interpret things through our biases, preconceived ideas, etc., which may be wrong or incomplete, and this includes the "experts". Just my opinion.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My point is this: An individual needs to read both the Bible and Quran for his/herself if they want to make it legitimate. We all interpret things through our biases, preconceived ideas, etc., which may be wrong or incomplete, and this includes the "experts". Just my opinion. </div></div>

I can only agree with this.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: elp6n</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My point is this: An individual needs to read both the Bible and Quran for his/herself if they want to make it legitimate. We all interpret things through our biases, preconceived ideas, etc., which may be wrong or incomplete, and this includes the "experts". Just my opinion. </div></div>

I can only agree with this. </div></div>


Thanks for the compliment about being an expert [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif[/img] Just kidding.... I agree that one should read both to see for themselves.

Buddhism beliefs:
Founded over 2500 tears ago.. dominant in the far east their emphasis is on religious rituals, worship of deities, and meditation.. the meaning of the name is the system taught by the Buddha... to my knowledge their is no promise of Eternal life. They believe you do not have a soul.Purpose of their life is to escape the cycle of rebirth.Basically they worship Gods or Goddessess.

A little expansion of the Buddhist beliefs: (all this, and more, can be found at: http://www.buddhanet.net

"? Is Buddhism Scientific?

Science is knowledge which can be made into a system, which depends upon seeing and testing facts and stating general natural laws. The core of Buddhism fit into this definition, because the Four Noble truths (see below) can be tested and proven by anyone in fact the Buddha himself asked his followers to test the teaching rather than accept his word as true. Buddhism depends more on understanding than faith.

"? What did the Buddha Teach?

The Buddha taught many things, but the basic concepts in Buddhism can be summed up by the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.

"? What is the First Noble Truth?

The first truth is that life is suffering i.e., life includes pain, getting old, disease, and ultimately death. We also endure psychological suffering like loneliness frustration, fear, embarrassment, disappointment and anger. This is an irrefutable fact that cannot be denied. It is realistic rather than pessimistic because pessimism is expecting things to be bad. lnstead, Buddhism explains how suffering can be avoided and how we can be truly happy.

"? What is the Second Noble Truth?

The second truth is that suffering is caused by craving and aversion. We will suffer if we expect other people to conform to our expectation, if we want others to like us, if we do not get something we want,etc. In other words, getting what you want does not guarantee happiness. Rather than constantly struggling to get what you want, try to modify your wanting. Wanting deprives us of contentment and happiness. A lifetime of wanting and craving and especially the craving to continue to exist, creates a powerful energy which causes the individual to be born. So craving leads to physical suffering because it causes us to be reborn.

"? What is the Third Noble Truth?

The third truth is that suffering can be overcome and happiness can be attained; that true happiness and contentment are possible. lf we give up useless craving and learn to live each day at a time (not dwelling in the past or the imagined future) then we can become happy and free. We then have more time and energy to help others. This is Nirvana.

"? What is the Fourth Noble Truth?

The fourth truth is that the Noble 8-fold Path is the path which leads to the end of suffering.

"? What is the Noble 8-Fold Path?

In summary, the Noble 8-fold Path is being moral (through what we say, do and our livelihood), focussing the mind on being fully aware of our thoughts and actions, and developing wisdom by understanding the Four Noble Truths and by developing compassion for others.

"? What are the 5 Precepts?

The moral code within Buddhism is the precepts, of which the main five are: not to take the life of anything living, not to take anything not freely given, to abstain from sexual misconduct and sensual overindulgence, to refrain from untrue speech, and to avoid intoxication, that is, losing mindfulness.

"? What is Karma?

Karma is the law that every cause has an effect, i.e., our actions have results. This simple law explains a number of things: inequality in the world, why some are born handicapped and some gifted, why some live only a short life. Karma underlines the importance of all individuals being responsible for their past and present actions. How can we test the karmic effect of our actions? The answer is summed up by looking at (1) the intention behind the action, (2) effects of the action on oneself, and (3) the effects on others.

"? What is Wisdom?

Buddhism teaches that wisdom should be developed with compassion. At one extreme, you could be a goodhearted fool and at the other extreme, you could attain knowledge without any emotion. Buddhism uses the middle path to develop both. The highest wisdom is seeing that in reality, all phenomena are incomplete, impermanent and do no constitute a fixed entity. True wisdom is not simply believing what we are told but instead experiencing and understanding truth and reality. Wisdom requires an open, objective, unbigoted mind. The Buddhist path requires courage, patience, flexibility and intelligence.

"? What is Compassion?

Compassion includes qualities of sharing, readiness to give comfort, sympathy, concern, caring. In Buddhism, we can really understand others, when we can really understand ourselves, through wisdom.

"? How do I Become a Buddhist?

Buddhist teachings can be understood and tested by anyone. Buddhism teaches that the solutions to our problems are within ourselves not outside. The Buddha asked all his followers not to take his word as true, but rather to test the teachings for themselves. ln this way, each person decides for themselves and takes responsibility for their own actions and understanding. This makes Buddhism less of a fixed package of beliefs which is to be accepted in its entirety, and more of a teaching which each person learns and uses in their own way.

What's your point in posting this? Anyone can post something from a website, but to me, it is imperative that one expresses his/her point.

I think my point was that you can't post 2 or three lines about another person's religion or beliefs and then have a valid discussion about it. I think there is more to each of those religions/beliefs than was posted in the original post. Having a friend who is buddhist I contacted him and he sent me to that website. He felt that was probably a pretty good synopsis of the belief system of the buddhist and I was passing it on. I have no opinion on anyone else's religion or belief as long as it doesn't adversely affect me or my family.

Thanks for the info, but it would behoove each of us to study on our own, and not accept what some particular adherent to a certain dogma would have us read and accept as ultimate truth. That's why I asked.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rrtguy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I think my point was that you can't post 2 or three lines about another person's religion or beliefs and then have a valid discussion about it. I think there is more to each of those religions/beliefs than was posted in the original post. Having a friend who is buddhist I contacted him and he sent me to that website. He felt that was probably a pretty good synopsis of the belief system of the buddhist and I was passing it on. I have no opinion on anyone else's religion or belief as long as it doesn't adversely affect me or my family. </div></div>

YOu are right... I did that.. I felt like that was a few of them... but my how ideal was so that everyone could research it themselves. What do you think about what they believe?